June, 1915.] Proceedings of the Society. 157 



After explaining the difference between the salt lakes, containing principally 

 sodium chloride, and the alkaline lakes, containing carbonates as well, and 

 the great difference between the percentage of solid matter, ranging from one 

 per cent, or less and accompanied by presence of fish, up to twenty-six per 

 cent., Dr. Aldrich proceeded to show by lantern slides the scenery of the desert 

 regions in which these salt lakes in Utah, Nevada and California are situated, 

 and the peculiar flies, whose larvas live in their waters. The slides exhibited 

 especially the immense numbers of pupa cases drifted on the shores of the 

 lakes, and the differences between the pupse and the larvse of the different 

 species. The conditions under which the pupae served the Piute Indians for 

 food in former times and the methods of preparation were explained, and 

 vials containing the " Cootsaapie," to use the Indian name, were exhibited. 

 The dried larvse of a large moth, also used for food, were included in the 

 exhibit. 



In the discussion that followed, Dr. Aldrich referred to the other insects 

 of the salt lakes, particularly Cicindelidse, and discussed with Dr. Osburn the 

 relation between the oceanic and salt lake conditions for fish. 



Mr. Shoemaker and Mr. Davis spoke of " Adirondack Insects," describing 

 their visit to Whiteface Mountains, N. Y., on July 6, when they found insects, 

 during the midday hours, in extraordinary numbers on the bare rocks at the 

 summit. During the nine days they stayed at Wilmington, six miles from the 

 summit, Mr. Shoemaker climbed the trail six times and Mr. Davis five times, 

 and on one occasion they remained over night. The butterfly Colias interior 

 Scudder was present in some numbers at the higher altitudes, and on warm 

 days it was found at the top of the mountain. Several females were collected, 

 but only one of them of the white variety. A number of rare species were 

 included in the catch among the Coleoptera, as well as a large number of spe- 

 cies and individuals, for example, 36 species of Cerambycidae, 16 species of 

 Coccinellidse, etc. Among the Cerambycidae were two species of Anthophilax, 

 and among the Coccinellidse an extraordinary series of Harmonia 14-guttata, 

 exhibiting striking variations in maculation. In addition to collecting on the 

 summit and along the trail, great attention was paid to the bait bottles, result- 

 ing in the capture of one Nomaretns. Mr. Davis commented particularly on 

 the Silphidse found on a dead porcupine, his remarks being printed in Mis- 

 cellaneous Notes, and on the distribution of the seven species of Cicindelidse 

 taken, of which r^/Jancfo occurred on the road and on the river banks, 12-guttata 

 on the river banks, tranquebarica from the valley to the summit of the moun- 

 tain ; purpurea, a single specimen, and generosa were found along the lower 

 parts of the trail, the latter in but one place, while 6-guttata extended on good 

 days nearly to the summit, and longilabris, the most northern in geographic 

 distribution, was not seen until part of the distance was climbed and then con- 

 tinued to the summit. The variation from our local types was also noticeable, 

 one 6-guttata having a middle band, all the tranquebarica being more or less 

 coppery, and the solitary purpurea quite greenish in coloration. 



Mr. Davis closed his remarks with an exhibition of photographs of the 

 mountain and a humerous reference to a Bovalapus. 



